It takes all of us working together to bring High Holidays to the Tiffany Center. If you haven't signed up for a spot yet, there are many still open, all of them essential to this incredible community gathering!
Zoom Room links, including the High Holiday rooms Neshamah and Shofar, can be found near the end of this email.
Regular Happenings
Weekly Torah Study Saturdays, 9 am, Zoom Room Bet & In Person Join Havurah for a community-led study session of the weekly Torah reading before each Shabbat service.
Shabbat Morning Service Saturdays, 10 am, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person All are welcome at our Shabbat services, including b'nei mitzvah services. Upcoming b'nei mitzvah are listed below and on the website calendar.
Jewish Mindfulness & Meditation Tuesdays, 12 pm, Zoom Room Bet & In Person We gather mostly via Zoom to find moments of quiet and shalom in a welcoming space. Various styles of Jewish meditation are explored. No meditation experience necessary. All are welcome to drop in. Led by Rabbi Benjamin, Adela Basayne, or Nancy Becker.
Morning Minyan Wednesdays, 8:30 am, Zoom Room Aleph & In Person For all who want a regular prayer practice and those saying Kaddish.
Hear the Sound of the Shofar! 11:30-11:45 am, Aug. 28 through Sept. 23 (except Shabbat) – Zoom Room Shofar "When the Shofar is sounded, hear, all you inhabitants of the world." Isaiah 18:13 It is customary to hear the sound of the Shofar every day of Elul. To observe this custom, Andrine de la Rocha, Howard Patterson and Diane Chaplin will sound the Shofar every afternoon during the month of Elul, except for Shabbos. They will use the traditional Shofar calls and give a bit of kavanot each time. Each session will last only a few minutes, so be prompt or you’ll miss it! RSVP to be sent a link to the special High Holiday Zoom Room Shofar.
Upcoming Events
Tonight, Zoom Only: Contemplative Practice to Support Teshuvah 7 pm, Wednesday, Sept. 14 — Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Neshamah In these sessions we will gather to engage with the sacred work of this season: Teshuvah — repentance and repair. Working with the spiritual tools of Mussar — applied Jewish ethics — and Meditation, we will practice and reflect together, examining where we have caused harm and lovingly holding ourselves accountable to make amends and grow as we enter the new year. Led by Rabbi Benjamin RSVP to be sent a link to the special Zoom Room Neshamah
Banot Mitzvah of Naomi Granek-Brown and Margot Kirshbaum 10 am, Saturday, Sept 17 — Havurah Shalom and Zoom Room Aleph Please join us in welcoming Naomi Granek-Brown and Margot Kirshbaum each as a Bat Mitzvah and member of our community.
Anti-Racism and Belonging Discussion Group for White Members not in other groups Sunday, Sept. 18, 10-11:15 — Zoom Room Bet —RSVP here We invite you to embark with us on gaining a better understanding of how anti-racism and belonging shows up within the congregation through this small group conversation. All conversation groups are structured by self-selected shared identity. This conversation is for white members not in other groups. Led by Havurah consultants Tabitha and Adam St. Bernard-Jacobs. Learn more here.
Teens (7th - 12th grade) Pizza Party 5 pm, Sunday, Sept. 18 – Upper Sellwood Park - RSVP by Monday 9/12 All Havurah 7th-12th graders are invited to a Teen Pizza Party! Come meet up for a Teen only event (except chaperones) of pizza, drinks and dessert. Catch up with old friends or meet new ones. This will be a chance to hang out and play games. There will be a voting booth/suggestion box for you to tell Havurah Shalom what type of events and activities are interesting to you. Meet near the baseball bleachers next to the parking lot at SE 7th & Malden St. Sponsored by the Teen Engagement Committee.
"The U.S. and the Holocaust": Watch the new Ken Burns' PBS series together at Havurah Sunday, Sept. 18 thru Tuesday Sept. 20, 7:30 -10:30 pm — Havurah Sanctuary
Just ahead of the High Holidays, PBS will broadcast a 3-part, 6 hour documentary by Ken Burns & colleagues exploring the U.S. role in the Holocaust . The filmmakers state "the United States proved unwilling to open its doors to more than a fraction of the hundreds of thousands of desperate people seeking refuge." Come together with others at Havurah to watch and share reactions to this important series. Hosted by Lifelong Learning, discussion led by Kristine Munholland and David Dropkin. RSVP here
Book Group Discussion: The Third Man Tuesday, Sept. 20th, 7 pm to 8:30 pm – Zoom Room Bet Please join us for a discussion of The Third Man by local Portland author Randolph Splitter. The author will be joining us for the discussion. Based on massive historical research, this is as much a memoir as a novel. The plot begins in pre-World War II Vienna and revolves around the Kindertransport from Vienna to Britain. The principal characters are two Viennese Jewish families, but the book gradually focuses on two individuals who survived the Holocaust and their moral choices. The plot is refracted through the lens of the 1949 film noir “The Third Man.” Contact David Newman with questions.
Information Session about the Portland Charter Amendment 3-4:30 pm, Oct. 9, Havurah Shalom Sanctuary Do you live in Portland? Are you interested in learning more about the Portland Charter amendment that will be on the November ballot? You are invited to attend a Havurah-specific information session to learn more about the city charter amendment. The changes are sweeping and I hope that our community will vote with the needed and accurate information about the proposal. RSVP here
This Is Real and You are Completely Unprepared: Book Study Group 7pm, Oct. 9 — Havurah Shalom Sukkah Whether you’ve read the book before, or this is your first time, R. Alan Lew’s book can deepen our experience of the High Holidays as a journey of personal transformation. We’ll meet a final time to share our reflections on the ideas and practices and discuss chapters 8, 9, 10 and the epilogue. Led by Adela Basayne and Deborah Eisenbach-Budner. RSVP here
Israel/Palestine Committee “Expanding the Conversation” Continues First Event: Rashid Khalidi, “The 100 Years War on Palestine” 5 pm, Wednesday, Oct. 14 – offsite Zoom RSVP The Israel/Palestine Committee is once again co-sponsoring the free Zoom series "Expanding the Conversation about Israel/Palestine." The fall the series will focus on Palestinian Voices. Details about the series and registration information are available in Hakol and through the portal link on Committee web page. The first event will feature Rashid Khalidi, author and Columbia University Professor, discussing "The 100 Years War on Palestine." Contact Joel Beinin for more information.
23rd Annual Reading of Oregon Jewish Writers 7-8:30 pm, Tuesday, Oct. 18, at OJMCHE, In Person & Zoom Havurah member Willa Schneberg curates the Annual “Oregon Jewish Voices” reading now in its 23rd season! It will be in person & on zoom. She will be joined by authors Bryna Goodman, Seth Lorinczi, Vivienne Popperl and Michael Schein. There will be a Q&A following the reading. RSVP here
Tikkun Olam Updates
Rose Haven and The Common Good Project Share Their Experiences Sunday, Oct. 16, 4:30 - 6:00 in the Havurah Sukkah, or inside if it's raining RSVP here.
Havurahniks are invited to attend a discussion of homelessness in our community, under the fragile shelter of the Sukkah. We have invited Jenn Louis with the Common Good Project, which twice weekly provides food and clothing directly to about eight tent pod communities in NE Portland, and is part of a city program that hires homeless folks to pick up trash.
Also presenting will be a representative from the Rose Haven Day Center for women and children, just blocks from Havurah, which provides meals, clothing, computer use, laundry, showers, medical care, and classes to women-identifying people and children, as well as just a safe warm space to be in during the day when shelters are not open.
Perhaps you might want to volunteer? Maybe you just want to know more about homeless populations? Or you have thoughts about the homeless folks who often use our courtyard? Please join us to talk about this important issue. News From the Streets:
Elul Food Drive for The Common Good Project 11-1 am, Sunday, Sept. 18 – Havurah Shalom Elul is approaching, giving us time to prepare for the High Holidays. In thinking about others, Our Poverty and Homelessness Committee is conducting a food drive during the month of Elul to benefit The Common Good Project. See the food list here.
High Holiday Tzedakah Project Drop off at Tiffany Center during High Holiday services Havurah's Tikkun Olam Poverty and Homelessness Committee is organizing the High Holiday Tzedakah Project. We have selected two of our partner nonprofit organizations whose mission and values we feel strongly reflect those of Havurah: Rose Haven and The Common Good Project. Learn more about these organizations, and see the items needed and Tiffany Center drop-off info here. Thank you, Havurah, for your support!
High Holidays There are so many ways to help! Look here to make your contribution to the TIffany Center barn raising.
Kabbalat Shabbat We are looking for volunteers to lead a few tasks for Kabbalat Shabbat, which is resuming monthly for nine months beginning Oct. 14. In our new format, the catered dinner will take place after the service instead of before. This will hopefully make the service accessible to a wider group of people, including families with children. There will be a light oneg/nosh available 30 minutes before the service. Dinner, for folks with reservations, will follow the service. We are looking for people to coordinate volunteers for these tasks: greeters/door monitors; set-up and take-down of the oneg/nosh; set-up for dinner; and clean-up after dinner. These are easy, fun tasks and provide an opportunity to get to know and connect with others at Havurah. Co-leads are welcome! Volunteer leads will not be involved in recruitment, just organizing the volunteers the day of the event. Please contact Marni Glick and Sally Hersh.
Resources
Do You Need Support? If you are facing emotional, financial, or health challenges and would welcome support, please consider contacting the (a) Bikkur Holim (Visiting the Sick) Committee for spiritual support, (b) Lotsa Helping Hands for help with food, transportation, or other errands, or (c) Rabbi Benjamin, for spiritual and moral support – benjamin@havurahshalom.org or 503-248-4662 ext. 3. If you're interested in being on a list of people who support others in concrete ways, such as grocery shopping or running other errands, please contact Lotsa Helping Hands. To request that the name of a relative or Havurah member be read during the Misheberach (healing prayer) at Shabbat services, please use this Misheberach Request Form.
Questions About Havurah? The Transparency & Inclusivity Committee is an avenue within Havurah Shalom to help members find the answers to questions or concerns they have wondered about. Please send your questions to transparency@havurahshalom.org. We will anonymously answer your question in Hakol. Everyone in our community benefits from this clarity.
Havurah Zoom Rooms
Special High Holiday Zoom Rooms
Room Neshamah PC/Mac/Smartphone: Click here to join. Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 84045798192 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5783. Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 84045798192.
Room Shofar PC/Mac/Smartphone: Click here to join. Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 89559296630 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5783. Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 89559296630. Year-long Havurah Zoom Rooms
Room Aleph PC/Mac/Smartphone: Click here to join. Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 604560503 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5472. Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 604560503.
Room Bet PC/Mac/Smartphone: Click here to join. Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 291215092 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5472. Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 291215092.
Room Gimel PC/Mac/Smartphone: Click here to join. Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 502586440 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5472. Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 502586440.
Room Dalet PC/Mac/Smartphone:Click here to join. Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 472484392 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5472. Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 472484392.
Room Heh PC/Mac/Smartphone:Click hereto join. Note for all devices: You can also open your Zoom app first, click “Join a Meeting” then enter meeting ID 87852542099 and "call via device audio." The passcode is 5472. Cell/Landline: Dial +1 669-900-6833 and enter meeting ID 87852542099.
To see our full Zoom room instructions, click here. Member sign-in required.
(HYB) Seliḥot Service Shabbat, Sep 13th 8:00p to 9:30p The Saturday ten days before Rosh Hashana, we gather to begin to ready our hearts for compassion and forgiveness. All are welcome in person or on Zoom. If you need the Zoom info, please click here and RSVP/register to have it sent to you.
Daily Shofar Blast Sunday, Sep 14th (All day) Hear the Sound of the Shofar each day of Elul (except Shabbat): Andrine, Diane & Howard (& sometimes Dominic & Wesley) help prepare us for Rosh Hashanah with shofar, deep thoughts, and a touch of kavanah (intention). Videos will be posted daily on Havurah's YouTube and Facebook pages.
(IP) Birding Walk Sunday, Sep 14th 10:00a to 12:00p Join experienced birders Cindy and Andrew Merrill to see how many different bird species we can find and identify at Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge in Sherwood. We’ll meet behind the Visitor Center, and then take a leisurely walk on the gravel/dirt trails. Birding expertise is not required. Bikes and pets are not permitted.
(IP) Annual Teen Picnic & Volunteer Kick-Off Sunday, Sep 14th 2:00p to 4:00p Join us for our annual Teen Engagement Committee Teen Picnic and Volunteer Kick-Off. We’ll have snacks, drinks, games, and kehillah-building icebreakers. Feel free to bring sports equipment to enjoy.
(IP) "Circus on the Streets": Jewish Family Stories of the Lower East Side Sunday, Sep 14th 2:00p to 3:30p Sarah Stein takes her audience back to the bustling streets and colorful characters of the famous Lower East Side of New York City during the 1930s and 1940s as seen through the eyes of her family. Her performance is an inspiring blend of laughter and grace. Recorded music and slides accompany the performance.
Havurahnik Mahjong Group Monday, Sep 15th 1:00p to 4:00p Just for Havurah members, our Mahjong Group is a fun, social activity that builds community, encouraging new friendships and cementing old ones. And while some of us may play elsewhere as well, we all agreed that restoring its place as an ongoing congregational activity will be a good fit for Havurah and those of us who play or want to learn the game.
(ZM) High Holiday Safety Training Monday, Sep 15th 6:30p to 7:30p All Havurah members are invited to this important safety training. High Holidays event manager Rachel Pollak will cover the procedures and practices that keep us safe at the Tiffany Center and at the Havurah building, and Secure Community Network Regional Security Advisor Jessica Anderson will teach us situational awareness and de-scalation. There will be time for questions at the end. All High Holiday greeters, ushers and event monitors are especially encouraged to attend this training. It will be recorded for those not able to attend.
(ZM) Climate Change Book Group Slow Reading of "Not Too Late" Tuesday, Sep 16th 5:30p to 6:30p All are welcome! Havurah members and non-members alike are invited to join us in this slow, section-by-section reading of "Not Too Late: Changing the Climate Story from Despair to Possibility." Click and RSVP. Attend any or all of these HCAT (Havurah's Climate Action Team) Book Group discussions about "Not Too Late."
(ZM) Story Turning: Harvesting Joy in the Past Tuesday, Sep 16th 7:00p to 8:15p Teshuvah is the ongoing process of Turning and Returning. Using brief, simple, playful forms: sound, movement, story, stillness—which EVERYONE can do—we'll discover and shape our own tales of transformation and renewal.
Together we’ll play with a few classic Jewish tales and find our own voices, visions, ancestors, light, and revelations. This is not a performance class. No experience is required, just a willingness to be curious and a little silly.
Led by Cassandra Sagan, a twice-ordained Maggid (Jewish storyteller/teacher), and a lifetime creative process/poetry/arts educator.
